Fastener



p 1943- v D. A. BRENNAN 2,329,869

FASTENER Original Filed Dec. 16, 1940 IXEL'U 7m v firms, applicationdsija pplicantsv g. loo-pending application Serial No. -.370,372,;,filed;Dec.'16,-1940;;4"

Patented Sept. 21, 1943 vision carved out of F The inventionrrelates v-broadlyto a paper fastener of theitypc'embodying-a compressor and a base;the-latter havingspaced prongs adapted tobe bentfover a faceiof a'stackof loose sheets for binding them together; and more particularly'to a.'fastenerrincluding a resiliently flexible Paper fasteners previously proposed all have been subjected to numerous disadvantages. For example, certain types of fasteners have stiff compressors provided with slidable latches which hold the prongs bent thereover, but which, in certain instances of use, are highly objectionable. Other known types of fasteners have rigid compressors suitably formed at their ends to co act with the prongs to hold them bent. None of the known types of compressors embody means to effect a clamping or wedging action on the stack of sheets so, as to securely bind them under tension at least at the prongs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a paper fastener compressor of atype which effectively co-acts with the prongs and the stack of sheets being bound to tightly bind said sheets in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient paper fastener compressor of the type adapted to have prongs associated therewith which is easy to assemblein place on a stack of sheets, simple to operate, positive in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a novel paper fastener including a resiliently flexible compressor characterized by the entire absence of movable parts and which adequately serves to cover the associated prongs from being inadvertently engaged by adjacent files or other objects.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds, will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing; in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the improved fastener applied to a stack of loose sheets.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevational view of the fastener, partly broken away, showing the stack of sheets in section.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the compressor partially disengaged from the base element.

LS' S P TENT If if 2,329,359; v i

a b FASTENER v DanielA. Brennan, deceased, late of Chicago,'Ill., by Elmer L. Zwiokel, executor, Chicago,Ill., as-.- i signor to Acco"Products, In c., Long Island City, N.acorporati0n of NewYo'rk v V Original application DecemberIG,1940,1'Sei'ial No.6 1 .g,

*1; 370,372. Divided and this application July 22,

1942, Serial No. 451,844

, is Claims. (o1. 24-153);

orrics Refering particularly to the drawing, the fasitenerillustrated includes a base provided at its ends with bendable resilient prongs l2 adapted to be placed in cooperative position withastack of sheets I3 for=holdingthem togetherin afile. The base H normally has itsintermediate body .portion positioned to lie flat against the bottom ofthepstack of sheets with the spaced prongs I2 extending through similarly spaced? holes l4 therein. The free end portions of the prongs extendthrough and beyond the top-of the "stack.

A compressor I5 is adapted, when properly mounted, to overlie the free end portions of the prongs and prevent said prongs fromcatching on adjacent files or the like. a

The compressor l5 preferably is formed of an elongated strip of thin resiliently flexible material such as, for example; spring steel, pressboard plastics, or thelike, and is of a length substantially equal to the spacing between the prongs I2. The strip l5 isbent downwardly at each end and then outwardly and upwardly to provide smooth, rolled, depending bearing portions 16 at each end for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

The downwardly extending portion of the strip is suitably aperturedor otherwise slotted transversely, as at H, to receive the free end portions of the prongs l2 when thecompressor is in place.

To assemble the fastener, one of the slotted openings H is slid over one of the extending prong portions, as best shown in Fig. 3, and then the compressor is deflected or bowed longitudiopening l1. Release of the pressure utilized to deflect the compressor will cause itto move into its normally straight position. During this movement its ends slide along the associated prongs I2 until the bearing portions l 6 of the compressor abut the vertical prong portions at their bends. While in this position, the'bearing portions [6 engage the top sheet of stack l3 adjacent to the prongs and the resiliency of the compressor will bind the prongs to the compressor and sheets. It should be observed that movement of the compressor, from the bowed position illustrated in Fig. 3 into its final position shown in Fig. 2, results in co-action between the bearing portion I6, prongs I 2, and the stack of sheets l3. This is occasioned by engagement of the free edges of 2; openings I4 thus binding them securely, at the prongs, between said bearing portions and the intermediate body portion of the base II.

The compressor may be removed simply by grasping it substantially midway between its ends and lifting upwardly, which operation will draw the slotted ends of said compressor off of'the has specifically disclosed and may vary inarrangement and use without departing from the spirit of the invention and scoperofztheappended: I

claims.

What is claimed is:

type including a base having spaced prongs adapted to be passed through holes in a file or papers and subsequently bent down inwardly towards each other, said compressor comprisin a fiat strip of material to overlie the prongs, said strip having slots 'onez adiacentleach end to receive the respectiveprongs threaded downwardly therethrough with the prongs overlying the respective end portions, said end portions being offset downwardly and rolled outwardly and then upwardly to define semi-cylindrical bearing portions'arranged to slide freely over the toppof theifile'o fapapers and wedge beneath the respective prongsat their bends.

3; A compressor for a paper fastener of the type, including: a base having spaced prongs adapted to Joe-passed through holes in a file of 3 papers andsubsequently bent down inwardly 1. A compressor for a paper fastener ofsthe type including a base having prongs adapted to bepassed th'rougir holes -in al-file'of ipapers and subsequently=bent=over toward thetop face of the file; said compressor comprising aflat strip of" resiliently flexible "material to-- overliethe prongs'h'aving a rolled bearing-portion at each end ofis'et below the plane-ofthe strip andengaged beneath the-bottom -faceof the complemental prongat 1 itsbend to retain: thecompressorinplace andtightly-bind "the papers at the pron s 2, A compressor "for 1 a paper fastener of the body portion oi the strip;

tween said opening :and: its free 'edgeb'eingrolled towards each other, said compressor comprising a flat strip of material having its end portions turned downwardly; each down-turned: end'lportion having a prong: receiving opening clo'sely adjacent to its juncture with the intermediate and the portion beoutwardly longitudinally: and thenxupward-ly to dispose its edge the plane. of *theibottoma edge of saidslot-a ELMER'L. ZWICKEL.- Executor of the Estate of Daniel A. Brennan,- D'eceased. l I l 

